Will Allen loves how the rookie cornerbacks developed, with Sean Smith starting all season and Vontae Davis starting nine of the final 10 games after Allen's injury. But if you believe Allen, only one of those young corners will be a starter in 2010.

``I'm starting,'' Allen declared last week. ``You can put that wherever you want. I've started every year. I don't expect that to change now.''

Allen, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee Oct. 25 against the Saints, said he will be healthy long before the season. Regardless of who starts, all three will play.

So how do their numbers compare? ESPN's KC Joyner said Davis finished 72nd among 100 qualifying cornerbacks with a 39.5 percent success rate on passes thrown with him in coverage. He allowed 10.7 yards an attempt, ranking 94th.

This should be a strong nucleus to have and if Allen does come back 100%, it will be interesting who gets delagated to the nickel spot. The over the top safety position does have to improve in order for the secondary to get better and I still feel that Wilson is gone, which will definitely be a step in the right direction.

I think Davis starts due to his physicality and frankly I think he has a slight edge over Smith in skills. I think either way we're in a good spot, though; Will Allen is a very good corner and I think having him back improves our secondary as long as we get a competent FS.

I think if Allen starts, Davis will be on the other side. When they go nickel, Davis and Smith will play the outside and Allen will move to the nickel spot. That's what I'd do anyway...I don't see Smith as a nickelback.

I think if Allen starts, Davis will be on the other side. When they go nickel, Davis and Smith will play the outside and Allen will move to the nickel spot. That's what I'd do anyway...I don't see Smith as a nickelback.

Nice post. And I agree. Or Davis at the Nickel. Smith isn't a sure enough tackler to play the nickel.

I think Davis pulls away from Smith this year in that competition. Smith got the nod over Davis to start because of his size, and he is very good. Davis has a higher ceiling though and a far better tackler. Davis took some big risks and was very aggressive trying to man up on some of the leagues' best receivers this year, he got burned some and that's why his numbers are lower than Smith's. I think he will learn quickly though and I'd look for his numbers to improve drastically this year.

I actually thought it was going to be the other way around, with Vontae being more of the polished CB, and Smith being a little more raw yet having great size and balls skills.

Hopefully Sean can start to make more plays. At times he was in the game playing not to make a mistake...Vontae was trying to make a game-winning play on every snap...that's the type of attitude I like.

It's fine to like it, except that Davis gave up a lot of big plays and allowed a lot of completed passes, even though he got those interceptions. He has to be more fundamental in his coverage.

Absolutely. But the guy was a rookie going up against Randy Moss, T.O., Lee Evans, Andre Johnson, Hines Ward, THE Steve Smith, Braylon Edwards....and with really no pass rush or help over the top. For him to have the attitude and maintain that swagger, and continue to make plays throughout the season, I think says a lot about him.

It's fine to like it, except that Davis gave up a lot of big plays and allowed a lot of completed passes, even though he got those interceptions. He has to be more fundamental in his coverage.

Absolutely. But the guy was a rookie going up against Randy Moss, T.O., Lee Evans, Andre Johnson, Hines Ward, THE Steve Smith, Braylon Edwards....and with really no pass rush or help over the top. For him to have the attitude and maintain that swagger, and continue to make plays throughout the season, I think says a lot about him.

Andre Johnson was primarily matched up against Smith on the outside, who held him to 3 catches for 23 yards. It is when they moved Johnson into the slot that he did his damage.

The point PR is making is that he was lined up against several talented Wide Receivers. I agree with PR, your nitpicking.

I don't think it's nitpicking...when you say Davis is good because he covered Andre Johnson you're wrong. Davis got burned a lot, yes. A lot of that had to do with him being a rookie, and the other part was the defensive scheme/safeties suck.

What he was able to do was flat out amazing in New England against the Patriots. You can't ask for better coverage. One on one versus Randy Moss and he goes up and makes the play. Amazing...that is why he is a talent. Not because he had to cover supreme talent...it's the NFL. You get that every week.